I have a copy of PS CS5 installed and i can only paste an image that i copied from before the program was started. When Ps is already started and I copy an image and try to paste it in PS it will paste the image I copied before I started the program not the one I just copied...

It's a pretty annoying situation... not being able to copy and paste once the program is running. I have to shut it down, start it up again to paste the image I want...

Most folks have no problem copying and pasting into Photoshop, so it's not a systemic problem. I have an 8 GB Windows 7 x64 system, for example, and don't see the problem you are describing.

It most probably is an effect of other applications you are running. Another application is likely locking the clipboard up and preventing Photoshop from accessing it. In short, Photoshop is interacting badly with something else you are running.

Try shutting down all other applications you're running, including eMail, utilities that enhance your desktop operation, etc. You may even want to try temporarily disabling your antivirus software.

Do you run any remote sessions with other computers (e.g., via Remote Desktop or Citrix)?

It's a good idea to learn what is every single application, process, and service that's running on your computer, and why they're there. This will involve looking over the lists in the Task Manager and doing some internet research. Also, there are good freeware utilities online that can help you know what applications start when you boot up and log in, such as AutoRuns and ShellExView

I concur with Noel, this is an external application inetrfering with teh clipboard. Could even be some security stuff blocking the clipboard. Also, in case you are using OpenGL, such issues could indicate a configuration error, where the graphics card and driver are unable to deal with color space and color sampling conversions to provide acceleration...

I have been having the exact same issue! It has been driving me nuts. I can paste something into Photoshop CS5 only if I've copied before I open Photoshop. I am using Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit with 6 Gig RAM. This was a very recent clean install. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I've been reading some additional posts on this topic, and saw someone mention that it works in Photoshop CS5 32 bit, but not in 64bit. That turns out to be correct for me -- I can get the clipboard to function properly in 32bit mode, but not in 64bit mode.

I cannot begin to explain why you would see the problem on two different systems, while others (e.g., I) do not see it. I'm not trying to marginalize your problem, but it certainly isn't seen by everyone.

Photoshop is pasting content based on what the OS says is available on the clipboard.

So something outside of Photoshop is preventing the clipboard from updating, or keeping stale data on the clipboard -- but we have no idea what that might be. Other applications or utilities might be involved, or it could be an OS issue, or (less likely) a really obscure bug in Photoshop.

The part that is confusing to me is that the clipboard works fine in 32bit, but not in 64bit. (unless the copy was done before opeing 64bit)

For example:

Start with Photoshop closed.

Copy image A.

Open Photoshop 64bit.

Do a PrintScreen.

Ctrl-N for new file.

Ctrl-V for Paste.

Image A gets pasted.

Close Photoshop 64bit.

Open Photoshop 32 bit.

Ctrl-N, Ctrl-V,

Screen Print gets pasted.

Close Photoshop 32bit.

Open Photoshop 64bit again.

Ctrl-N, Ctrl-V,

Now the Screen Print gets pasted.

It seems to me that the Clipboard is not doing anything special. Does it distinguish between 32bit applications calling for the image differently than 64bit applications? Unless I don't understand (and I'm sure I don't) how the Clipboard works, the above sequence would lead me to believe that Photoshop 64bit is the culprit.

I recently built this computer new, and the only software on it is Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit, Adobe CS5, Lightroom, and Microsoft Office 2007. I have 6 Gig of Ram, and use a NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 for video. I know others are having this issue, so this is very peculiar.

Thanks for the suggestion... however one of the things that I do frequently is to take a Screen Capture to the clipboard. Unfortunately other approaches (such as Microsoft Snipping Tool) are too cumbersome and require too many steps.

Not that I want you to have to live with a broken paste functionality, but consider the freeware app Irfan View for screen capture.

Run Irfan View, press C, choose what you want to capture, select a function key for the capture (or a timeout), and voila. When your window/screen is captured, it's shown in Irfan View's window and all you have to do is File - Save As.

I just want to add that while PS is running an not painting any new info that is in the clipboard, MS Paint and MS Word are pasting any new info I put in the clipboard at the moment PS 64bit is running (and not pasting any new info) . So, is it fair to say that the clipboard is still accessible and not broken and it's just PS that fails to read/access it?

Based on the listings above, your system is pretty loaded up with stuff, Nick.

Try disabling startup items systematically (especially the stuff common to multiple systems you use) and try the clipboard operations with Photoshop.

Typically, no one program kills performance, but the accumulation of a bunch of them - each of which seemed to have merit at the time - can result in a sluggish, loaded-up system with miscellaneous problems, such as those you're reporting here. Try to minimize the extra stuff you have installed to just what you really need and use.

It could actually be something that needs to be uninstalled then. Clearly going down that path for debugging would be more involved, but it may be necessary to recover the functionality. I know I wouldn't be able to live without Copy/Paste working.

It may seem to you as though it's a lost cause, but again I must stress that the clipboard works for most of us.

That indicates that the print screen button did not copy the bits to the clipboard. Do you have another app that can accept the paste? I am wondering what gets pasted in another app after you do a print screen. If a different app does not paste the correct thing that indicates a hardware problem. Do you have a different keyboard you could try? If it is a laptop, try plugging in a external keyboard via USB.

I already explained this in the discussion, other apps can get to the clipboard information fine also while PS is running. It is not a keyboard issue. (I already tested with an external bluetooth keyboard).

I have been travelling on business, and have not had a chance to participate in this discussion for a few days...

For clarity, all applications correctly access the clipboard, including Photoshop 32 bit. However, Photoshop 64bit can only access the last item on the clipboard before Photoshop64 bit started.

Example: With Photoshop 64bit not opened, I copy Image A to the clipboard. I then open Photoshop 64bit. Because I opened Photoshop after putting Image A on the clipboard, it will correctly paste. Then (with Photoshop still open) I copy Image B to the clipboard. I follow that with Image C, and then Image D. All other applications can correctly access the last item on the clipboard, while Photoshop can only still access just Image A. Then if I close and re-open Photoshop, it will correcly access Image D (but not any subsequent items on the clipboard).

Again, this is only an issue with the 64bit version. Photoshop 32bit works fine with the clipboard. I know the clipboard works for some and not for others like me. Since those of us who are experiencing this isse all have different computer builds, I can't help but assume that there is some issue with Photoshop.

Many things are duplicated/replicated in a 64 bit OS, to maintain 32 bit compatibility. It's more complicated than just having "one" clipboard, for example, and so it's possible some application or piece of software could have the 64 bit clipboard tied up while the 32 bit clipboard is not. Search for "WOW64" online to get an inkling of the complexity that's been put into Windows to handle this.

In fact, that it works in one realm and not the other tends to point the finger at 64 bit software doing the bad deed, so if you're still looking for the culprit it may well be that you can concentrate more on the 64 bit apps.